Adrian Durham heaped praise on Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny and shared he was an admirer of the 22-year-old right-back.
The broadcaster acknowledged that the Toffees full-back had a few little flaws in his game but shared he thought the defender had a big future ahead of him.
Durham also delivered his verdict on Kenny joining German side Schalke on loan, which was confirmed by the Toffees’ official website on Monday, and shared the move would only be good for his football education.
“What’s the latest with Jonjoe Kenny? I’m an admirer of Jonjoe Kenny, the England U-21 right-back,” said Durham on talkSPORT (17:48, Monday June 10th).
“He’s obviously come through at Everton, when I’ve seen him play, I’ve been impressed, there are a few little flaws in his game but they will go with him and he will be a very good player.
“But David Wagner has gone and taken him to Schalke in the Bundesliga for a season-long loan for next season so that can only be good for his education, he will join up with the U-21s, it gets underway this weekend in San Marino, he is a scouser, joined Everton at the age of nine, he has played 40 odd times for the time at Everton, made his debut in 2016, played 12 times last season…
“He has a big big future and I hope it’s with Everton.”
OPINION
Durham is spot-on to have faith in Kenny and is right to claim his decision to go on loan to Schalke is a good thing. The 22-year-old right-back will no doubt get an opportunity to feature on a regular basis for the German club, otherwise why would they have loaned him, and that will see him improve. Kenny will also no doubt learn a lot from playing in a different league if he keeps his ears open, and works hard he’ll return to Goodison Park a better player next summer. The full-back featured nine times in the Premier League last season and you feel he is at an age where he needs to be playing more than that. Kenny has made a bold decision to move abroad to get regular playing time, but it will surely be a worthwhile sacrifice when he ends up looking back at his career in hindsight. Also if his move doesn’t see him improve enough to break into Marco Silva’s first-team, at least it will make other teams aware of his potential.